NEEDLE: ISMS student investigated for poking peers with needles

COLUMBIA CITY — Local police are investigating a student at Indian Springs Middle School, after 40-60 students were reportedly stabbed with a sewing needle.

According to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department, four reports came in Thursday evening about the crime.

“The school sent out a letter that said 40-60 students got poked by the needle,” WCSD Det. Chuck Vogley said.

Kim Porter, the aunt of a 7th-grade student at ISMS, said her 13-year-old niece was afraid to report the student.

“The school knew about it and didn’t (immediately) tell the parents,” Porter said. “There were about 40 kids hurt and a lot of them didn’t say anything because they were afraid of this kid. The incidents allegedly had been occurring since the beginning of the week.

“She (niece) got taken to the hospital Thursday to get a tetanus shot,” said Porter.

Vogley said the incident remains under investigation.

“I’m sure that if there are charges to be filed, there will be,” Vogley said.

Calls to Indian Springs Middle School Principal Jan Boylan and Whitley County Consolidated Schools Superintendent Dr. Pat O’Conner were not returned.